Supporting Structure in the Front Region of a Motor Vehicle

Abstract

Supporting structure ( 1 ) in the front region of a motor vehicle, with a supporting frame ( 13 ) which can be covered on the rear side by a rear wall ( 12 ) which has a fan opening ( 11 ). It is proposed that a retaining frame ( 3 ) for holding cooling components, in particular heat exchangers ( 4, 9 ), is arranged pivotably in front of the supporting frame ( 13 ) in the direction of travel.

1 . A supporting structure in the front region of a motor vehicle having a supporting frame which can be covered at the rear side by a rear wall which has a fan opening, wherein a holding frame for holding cooling components, in particular heat exchangers, is pivotably arranged in front of the supporting frame in the direction of travel. 
   
   
       2 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding frame is pivotable about an approximately horizontally-running axis arranged at the bottom. 
   
   
       3 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein parts of pivot bearings are arranged on the holding frame. 
   
   
       4 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the parts are formed as pivot journals which project laterally from the holding frame. 
   
   
       5 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein U-shaped profiles for holding the pivot journals are arranged on the supporting frame. 
   
   
       6 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein lateral fastening means for detachably fastening the holding frame to the supporting frame are arranged on the holding frame, preferably, in the upper region which can be pivoted out. 
   
   
       7 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding frame has laterally arranged guide elements, in particular guide rails for holding at least one heat exchanger. 
   
   
       8 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding frame has, on its upper side, an insertion opening through which the at least one heat exchanger can be inserted into the holding frame in the direction of the pivot axis and can be removed again in the opposite direction. 
   
   
       9 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a guide shaft for holding a further heat exchanger is arranged in the holding frame in the region of the pivot axis. 
   
   
       10 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the further heat exchanger, in particular a charge-air cooler, can be inserted into the guide shaft transversely with respect to the other heat exchangers. 
   
   
       11 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchangers can be sealed off at their periphery with respect to the holding frame. 
   
   
       12 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding frame can be sealed off at the end side with respect to the supporting frame. 
   
   
       13 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the heat exchangers is embodied as a coolant cooler, in particular as a fully-aluminum heat exchanger. 
   
   
       14 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the heat exchangers is embodied as a refrigerant condenser for an air-conditioning system. 
   
   
       15 . The supporting structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding frame can substantially be pivoted into two positions, specifically into a first, pivoted-away position and a second, pivoted-to position.